Advocacy
CalAnimals recognizes that playing an active role in Sacramento is a vital part of ensuring the welfare of California's animals and the communities we serve. Since 2009, we have retained a professional legislative advocate who works on behalf of our members to ensure that we have a voice in legislation affecting animal shelters as well as our state's animals, whether stray, homeless, or abused animals.
In addition to sponsoring legislation creating substantive protections for animals, such as bills that banned the roadside sales of animals, established minimum standards for pet boarding facilities, placed restrictions on the ability of flea markets to allow sales of animals, and established a voluntary tax checkoff to benefit homeless and abused animals, CalAnimals actively supports sensible animal-related legislation. In addition, CalAnimals works with sponsors and legislators to improve animal-related bills and actively opposes bills that are not in the best interests of California's animals and the communities we serve.
CalAnimals Proposal to Establish a
Bureau of Companion Animal Welfare
California has strong animal-protection laws, but it does not have one statewide system responsible for licensing, routinely inspecting, receiving complaints about, and collecting standardized data from the full range of companion-animal organizations and businesses. CalAnimals is encouraging the state to establish that system within the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to offer independent oversight. Below you’ll find information and resources about this effort.
This blog post explains the need for statewide oversight and accountability.
California Needs a State Bureau for Companion Animal Welfare
Frequently Asked Questions
In an effort to support greater understanding and clarity around this effort and the work of CalAnimals, we have assembled responses to frequently asked questions.
Click here for Frequently Asked Questions
Media Release
A press conference was held at the state capitol on August 24, 2026. You’ll find details, quotes, and links to images below.
Draft Bill Language
Establishing a new statewide bureau is a substantial undertaking that requires careful drafting, fiscal analysis, stakeholder input, and legislative review. CalAnimals is seeking an author to champion the effort in 2027. Draft bill language was created in January of 2026 to start this conversation.
Click here to see draft bill language
FAQs For Shelters
We are seeking comments and feedback from our shelter members related to this proposal. We ask that each person review these FAQs prior to submitting feedback so that we may address new and/or evolving questions, concerns, or suggestions.
Passed in 2026 and become effective January 1, 2027
Small Title
AB-1733 License and registration renewal: continuing education.
SPONSORED
This bill allows up to four hours of the 36 required CE hours to be obtained by providing spay/neuter services to shelters or rescues at no charge. This 4-hour CE opportunity is being removed from the self-study category.
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AB-2010 Veterinary medicine: veterinary surgery premises: spay and neuter services.
SUPPORT
This bill specifies that the minimum standards established by the board shall not require a dedicated surgical suite for any veterinary premises that primarily performs high-volume spay or neuter services, as defined.
Small Title
SB-1288 Property: nonprobate transfer of ownership.
SUPPORT
This bill ensures that beneficiaries on securities are notified in the event the of the account owner’s death. Nonprofit organizations often do not know that they are listed as beneficiaries on accounts. This new law will help ensure the money transfers as was intended by the account owner.
2026 Californial Animal Laws Handbook
View Legislation Passed in 2025
Effective January 1, 2026